Still Have Staff Refusing to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine? Your Elected Officials May Be Ready to Help

Healthcare workers who have refused to get the COVID-19 have been a concern not only for patients and colleagues, but also in terms of public perception of the advisability of vaccination. To put it bluntly, they’re setting a bad example. Some municipal and state governments apparently agree, as they’ve taken steps to require certain HCWs to get the vaccine unless they qualify for specific exemptions, depending on the state. As noted in Patient Care, the following states and cities have laid out guidelines for which HCWs need to comply, and when:

Individual cities

• New York City: All HCWs must receive at least the first dose by September 27
• Philadelphia: Fully vaccinated by October 15
• Washington, DC: First dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine by September 30

States

• California: HCWs who provide care or services to patients must be fully vaccinated by September 30
• Maine: Fully vaccinated by October 1
• Maryland: At least the first dose by September 1
• New Jersey: HCWs in state and private healthcare facilities fully vaccinated by September 7
• Pennsylvania: Fully vaccinated (or submit to routine testing) by September 7
• Rhode Island: Designated HCWs fully vaccinated by October 1
• Washington: All HCWs fully vaccinated by October 18